ELLA DEE WATKINS

Obituary of Ella Dee Watkins

 Ella Dee was born in Natchez, Mississippi, on December 2, 1927.She was the only child of Annie Bell Johnson and Sam Woods. 

Ella Dee arrived in Chicago over 80 years ago.  In 1943, she married Richard Watkins who was enlisted in the U.S. Navy based at Great Lakes, IL.  This union produced 4 daughters Delores, Hamidah, Maryam and Shirley. 

Ella was a strong-minded and determined individual, who would attempt to do anything she set her mind to.  She taught herself many skills, such as knitting, sewing, crocheting, and crafting.  She once built a staircase leading to her basement and built cabinets in her bathroom. She took pride in describing how her father taught her how to hold and shoot a rifle and to hunt rabbits.  She also loved gardening and fishing, which she got from her mother.

Ella attended Alexander High School in Brookhaven, MS.  She continued her education in Chicago by attending Malcolm X College, earning her high school diploma in 1982.

Ella Dee was employed by R.R. Donnelley and Sons-The Lakeside Press for over 24 years.  She was hired as a jogger and promoted to Quality Inspector.  Other jobs included Montgomery Wards and The Nation of Islam, where she performed cashier, clerical and accounting duties.  With her strong work ethics, mind-set and skills she became the proprietor of Ella’s Snack Shop, where she prepared and sold Kosher foods and snacks.

Ella is preceded in death by her husband Richard Watkins; parents Annie Bell Blackwell (Johnson) and Sam Woods; daughters Maryam Saboor and Hamidah Muhammad; grandsons Saleem Saboor, Yusef Muhammad, Anthony Robinson and great- grand daughter Shakierra Saboor.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters Delores Robinson (Eddie) and Shirley Campbell, 12 grandchildren, 28 great- grandchildren, 10 great- great grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great granddaughter.  A special group of cousins and family friends.

A special THANK YOU to nurse Tracie and DeAngela who gave her notable health care and comfort during the time it was most needed.

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